Minnie Baragwanath

Minnie’s innovative approach to problem-solving and social change has led her to become increasingly interested in how New Zealand can strengthen itself socially, economically and culturally. She believes our future leaders will be the ones who can work creatively across traditional sectors, unleashing the wisdom and the resources that lie within the private, public and not-for-profit arenas.

The three flag ship programs of the Be. Institute are Be. Leadership, a leadership program aimed at leaders with disability, Be. Welcome a holistic access framework to enable organisations to take their own access journey, and Be. Accessible, a social change program to promote accessibility – a first for New Zealand and possibly the world.

The belief is that every person has their part to play in the creation of accessibility regardless of how big or small the change.

Minnie has a Bachelor of English literature and a Bachelor of Communication Studies, and has completed a postgraduate diploma in economic development, where she explored disability through an economic lens, and the social economy and the value that social entrepreneurs bring to the New Zealand economy.

Oh, and Minnie is partially blind preferring to see stars rather than detail.

Video above: The Land of Be. – a story that illustrates the possibilities of an accessible world.

Video left: John Allen, Chair of the Be. Institute makes a powerful invitation for us all at the launch of the Be. Institute in Auckland, New Zealand on 6 May 2011.